Kansas bill to expand spanking fizzles in House

Topeka  A bill that would have eased some restrictions on spanking will not get a hearing by a Kansas House committee.

Rep. John Rubin’s office said Wednesday the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee will not consider the bill. Rubin is the committee’s chairman.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Gail Finney, a Democrat from Wichita, spelled out the types of corporal punishment that were allowed in the state. It would have let parents, teachers and other caregivers to hit children hard enough to leave marks or bruising.

The Wichita Eagle reports Finney says on her website that she introduced the bill as a guideline for parents, law enforcement, court officials and others, and to protect children. She says current state law, which allows some spanking, is not clear.